Obama headed to Oregon to campaign for Kitzhaber on Oct. 20

View full sizeCHARLES DHARAPAK/THE ASSOCIATED PRESSPresident Barack Obama is coming to Oregon later this month.

President Barack Obama is coming to Oregon this month to campaign for Democrat John Kitzhaber, who is locked in a tight race to reclaim his old job as governor.

Obama will be in Oregon on Oct. 20, a White House official confirmed, part of a West Coast swing to try to generate excitement for Democratic candidates. It will be his first visit to the state since the 2008 presidential primary, when he was running against Hillary Clinton.

"This is a recognition of the importance of this race, not just for Oregon's future but on the national policy front," said Jillian Schoene, spokeswoman for the Kitzhaber campaign. She said details of the visit have not been worked out, so it's not clear whether it will be a public rally, private fund-raiser or a bit of both.

Democrats across the country are facing stiff challenges from Republicans this year, and Kitzhaber's race against Republican Chris Dudley is no exception. Polls have showed the race either tied or with Dudley maintaining a small lead.

The last time Obama came to Oregon, in May 2008, he attracted a crowd of more than 70,000 to Tom McCall Waterfront Park -- at the time the biggest turnout of the election. Although he didn't campaign here during the general election, he won the state with 57 percent of the vote.

The Dudley campaign brushed off suggestions that his visit will help Kitzhaber.

"We look forward to working with President Obama when Chris Dudley is elected governor," said campaign spokesman Jake Suski. He said Dudley agrees with Obama on the need to reform the nation's schools and has pressed Kitzhaber to take a "reform-oriented approach" to education.

"Our message remains the same," Suski said. "The voters are looking for a new direction, fresh leadership," while Kitzhaber represents the past. "Regardless of who he has campaigning for him, his record still stands."

Schoene said the president's visit will emphasize that "this race is about priorities and a clear choice. John Kitzhaber's priorities are all about protecting middle-class families."